Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Gti3 »

Hi guys

I have been experiencing coolant loss on my golf 7 Tdi for a few months now. The indicative amount of loss is at approx 250ml per 500kms driven.

The car is at 120 000kms, currently. Cambelt, water pump and water bottle were changed at 108000kms.

I have had a pressure test done on the cooling system and there was no loss of pressure detected.

The car drives perfectly and does heat up at all even in the worst of traffic conditions.

Any ideas guys as to the checks that I can carry out?

I don't see any water on floor of car and the under engine cover appears dry.
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
User avatar
panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by panic-mechanic »

Do you keep filling up and then it drops. Does the warning light come on. is the level under the 'min' mark on the bottle at that stage when you fill up?.
Do you fill it to above the max mark?.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Gti3 »

panic-mechanic wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:58 pm Do you keep filling up and then it drops. Does the warning light come on. is the level under the 'min' mark on the bottle at that stage when you fill up?.
Do you fill it to above the max mark?.
Yes have to keep topping up and then it drops as I drive.
Yes the warning light comes on very time the coolant gets low.
Yes the level is under the min mark when I need to fill.
Yes I fill it to just above the max mark.
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
rkn
Cadet
Posts: 876
Registered for: 15 years 8 months
Membership No: 1268
Location: Lenz

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by rkn »

Does your car have an intercooler or a charge cooler
If it has the charge cooler, thats your culprit
It leaks into the intake and burns out through the exhaust
Had the same problem on my Jetta
Current
2014 Jetta 6 1.4TSI Comfortline
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Avantgarde Silver
EX
2005 Velociti 1.4i Black Magic
83.6KW 186.4NM @ RBTS
http://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic ... 11&t=64053
2007 Jetta 1.9TDI Candy White
http://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic ... 1&t=145040
Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Gti3 »

rkn wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2019 2:52 pm Does your car have an intercooler or a charge cooler
If it has the charge cooler, thats your culprit
It leaks into the intake and burns out through the exhaust
Had the same problem on my Jetta
So charge cooler as in the EGR cooler? Did you have to replace it or have it repaired?
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
rkn
Cadet
Posts: 876
Registered for: 15 years 8 months
Membership No: 1268
Location: Lenz

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by rkn »

Gti3 wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2019 3:08 pm

So charge cooler as in the EGR cooler? Did you have to replace it or have it repaired?
No , it takes the place of an intercooler
In my car its mounted to the rear of the engine ,onto the intake
Check for water pipes on you car , going towards the intake, there should be 2 going into a squarish housing
Also check first if your car has a intercooler, cos if it does then this is not gonna help

Had to replace mine, cost from VW was about R3k
Current
2014 Jetta 6 1.4TSI Comfortline
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Avantgarde Silver
EX
2005 Velociti 1.4i Black Magic
83.6KW 186.4NM @ RBTS
http://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic ... 11&t=64053
2007 Jetta 1.9TDI Candy White
http://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic ... 1&t=145040
Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Gti3 »

rkn wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2019 3:20 pm
Gti3 wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2019 3:08 pm

So charge cooler as in the EGR cooler? Did you have to replace it or have it repaired?
No , it takes the place of an intercooler
In my car its mounted to the rear of the engine ,onto the intake
Check for water pipes on you car , going towards the intake, there should be 2 going into a squarish housing
Also check first if your car has a intercooler, cos if it does then this is not gonna help

Had to replace mine, cost from VW was about R3k
OK cool thanks dude will try that
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
smoke.machine
Cadet
Posts: 160
Registered for: 8 years 4 months
Car Make: vw
Car Model: Polo Tdi
Location: Natal

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by smoke.machine »

That's actually the egr cooler....yes they do leak...but have a look at your water bottle could be leaking from the seems...Also check the water pump.they tend to leak....look out for a white residue...normally when coolants leaks it leaves a white residue when dry
Current: 9n3 1.9 TDI Pd100...cupra lip..Pgti rear apron
User avatar
panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by panic-mechanic »

There is no charge cooler on vw tdi's. Yes the thing you are talking about is the EGR cooler. Yes they are often the reason for a leak and a good place to start.
we have also seen failed / leaking water pumps at those km's. The vw coolant has a Fluorescence agent in it so if you use a black light you can actually see a leak very clearly.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Gti3 »

panic-mechanic wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2019 8:00 am There is no charge cooler on vw tdi's. Yes the thing you are talking about is the EGR cooler. Yes they are often the reason for a leak and a good place to start.
we have also seen failed / leaking water pumps at those km's. The vw coolant has a Fluorescence agent in it so if you use a black light you can actually see a leak very clearly.
Thanks, I assume the EGR cooler is near/next to the turbo. IL start there as I did have the water pump replaced together with the cambelt
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
User avatar
panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by panic-mechanic »

Well it sits next to the exhaust so yes near the turbo. There are water pipes to it and there are metal pipes to it from the exhuast and from there to the intake
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
User avatar
dazza
Field Marshal
Posts: 12139
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Car Make: VW and VW
Car Model: Amarok and Citi Sport
Membership No: 1327
Location: Roodepoort

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by dazza »

Very likely a EGR cooler issue. think the coolant leaks into the exhaust which is why you likely do not see any leaks anywhere. Similar incidents reported on the 2.0TDI amarok's
Darryn Van Rooyen
Current: 17 Amarok V6 D/C 4Motion H/L Auto
Current: 1987 Citi Sport 1.6
Current: 91 Citi Sport 1.3
Current: 05 Kawasaki 200KDX, 16 KTM 300 EXC
Previous:
14 Amarok BITDI D/C 4Motion H/L Auto
12' MKVI GTI Manual
2009 Audi TT 2.0TFSI S-Tronic
2008 Honda CBX250 Twister - Crashed!
2011 Amarok BiTDI D/C Highline 4Motion
08 RS MKV GTI DSG
09 ZG Ibiza Cupra TDI
06 CW Sportline
01 Citi 1.4i
01 Yamaha YZ125
99 Toyota Tazz
94 Fox 1.8 Sport
Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Gti3 »

panic-mechanic wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2019 10:55 am Well it sits next to the exhaust so yes near the turbo. There are water pipes to it and there are metal pipes to it from the exhuast and from there to the intake
Thanks panic, appreciated
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Gti3 »

dazza wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2019 4:28 pm Very likely a EGR cooler issue. think the coolant leaks into the exhaust which is why you likely do not see any leaks anywhere. Similar incidents reported on the 2.0TDI amarok's
Thanks dude, ive got an Amarok too, hope this doesn't start to play up on that as well😐
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Gti3 »

Is this leaking egr cooler something that can be delayed for a while or is it one of those things that could cause catastrophic failure?
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
User avatar
panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by panic-mechanic »

Well you can delay it as long as you keep the water full. But it's always better to attend to it promptly as it might dump all the water suddenly and then it's an issue. You can bypass the entire thing and get it coded out or simply replace it.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Gti3 »

panic-mechanic wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2019 8:16 am Well you can delay it as long as you keep the water full. But it's always better to attend to it promptly as it might dump all the water suddenly and then it's an issue. You can bypass the entire thing and get it coded out or simply replace it.
thanks Panic - was trying to get a feel for how long I have until i can arrange finances for it. Got a price from VW and the cooler alone is 8k from VW - still need to factor in Labour.

But i guess you are right - rather get i fixed asap as I would not want to create further issues like damage to the head from overheating etc
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
smoke.machine
Cadet
Posts: 160
Registered for: 8 years 4 months
Car Make: vw
Car Model: Polo Tdi
Location: Natal

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by smoke.machine »

Bypassing it and coding it off will cost you way less than 8k.....might as well do a stage1 remap and also code off the dpf ..so you will be fixing the water problem, sorting out the dpf ,which will give you headaches in the future...and gaining some horses aswell...
Current: 9n3 1.9 TDI Pd100...cupra lip..Pgti rear apron
Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Gti3 »

smoke.machine wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2019 5:59 pm Bypassing it and coding it off will cost you way less than 8k.....might as well do a stage1 remap and also code off the dpf ..so you will be fixing the water problem, sorting out the dpf ,which will give you headaches in the future...and gaining some horses as well...
Thanks dude - any particular company you would suggest for the software? from what i know, the bigger boys like Revo dont do EGR deletes etc due to legislative/emissions laws in the UK
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
User avatar
Stefan0909
Cadet
Posts: 164
Registered for: 5 years 1 month
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Tiguan 2.0TDI
Location: Vaal

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Stefan0909 »

Gti3 wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2019 9:42 am
smoke.machine wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2019 5:59 pm Bypassing it and coding it off will cost you way less than 8k.....might as well do a stage1 remap and also code off the dpf ..so you will be fixing the water problem, sorting out the dpf ,which will give you headaches in the future...and gaining some horses as well...
Thanks dude - any particular company you would suggest for the software? from what i know, the bigger boys like Revo dont do EGR deletes etc due to legislative/emissions laws in the UK
I got mine done yesterday and it costed me R3500 and I went with ATM Chiptuning, they don't fit a Chip, the load new SW onto the ECU.

Based in the Vaal, look up Walco Vaal.

Otherwise on FB you can get ATM Chiptuning as well, Lucas Reyneke is the name of the other dealer

Good luck
Ex Rides:
1.4i Velocity Stock
1.4i Kia Rio Stock
1.8i VTEC Honda FRV Stock
Citroen DS3 Techno Pack Stock
Peugeot 208 1.6 Allure Stock DECAT

Current Ride:
VW Tiguan 2.0TDI Stage 1 + DPF, DECAT and EGR done
User avatar
panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by panic-mechanic »

He is in durban. Doubt he is gonna drive to the vaal for it.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Gti3 »

panic-mechanic wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2019 5:24 pm He is in durban. Doubt he is gonna drive to the vaal for it.
Yes thanks Panic, I'm located in Durban.
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
User avatar
dazza
Field Marshal
Posts: 12139
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Car Make: VW and VW
Car Model: Amarok and Citi Sport
Membership No: 1327
Location: Roodepoort

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by dazza »

Gti3 wrote: Fri Mar 29, 2019 6:24 am
panic-mechanic wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2019 5:24 pm He is in durban. Doubt he is gonna drive to the vaal for it.
Yes thanks Panic, I'm located in Durban.
My mate had his EGR delete and software done on his amarok at Vagspeccentre, they use Unitronic/DNA tunes. I am sure there must be a unitronic agent down in durbs
Darryn Van Rooyen
Current: 17 Amarok V6 D/C 4Motion H/L Auto
Current: 1987 Citi Sport 1.6
Current: 91 Citi Sport 1.3
Current: 05 Kawasaki 200KDX, 16 KTM 300 EXC
Previous:
14 Amarok BITDI D/C 4Motion H/L Auto
12' MKVI GTI Manual
2009 Audi TT 2.0TFSI S-Tronic
2008 Honda CBX250 Twister - Crashed!
2011 Amarok BiTDI D/C Highline 4Motion
08 RS MKV GTI DSG
09 ZG Ibiza Cupra TDI
06 CW Sportline
01 Citi 1.4i
01 Yamaha YZ125
99 Toyota Tazz
94 Fox 1.8 Sport
Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Gti3 »

dazza wrote: Tue Apr 02, 2019 12:41 pm
Gti3 wrote: Fri Mar 29, 2019 6:24 am
panic-mechanic wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2019 5:24 pm He is in durban. Doubt he is gonna drive to the vaal for it.
Yes thanks Panic, I'm located in Durban.
My mate had his EGR delete and software done on his amarok at Vagspeccentre, they use Unitronic/DNA tunes. I am sure there must be a unitronic agent down in durbs
Thanks Dazza, I have found a tuner to assist me with this. Hopefully will get it done during the week. Getting the performance map while I'm at it.
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
Gti3
Cadet
Posts: 296
Registered for: 16 years 2 months
Location: Durban

Re: Diagnosing coolant loss on a golf 7 2.0 TDi

Post by Gti3 »

Update,

Have done the EGR cooler bypass and EGR delete via software this weekend.

Now I need to monitor if this has fixed the problem. Fingers crossed.
2020 MK7.5 GTi DSG
2012 AMAROK BiTDi HIGHLINE 4MOTION 6MT

EX:2013 MK7 TDi HIGHLINE DSG
EX:2010 MK6 GTI 6MT
EX:2006 Ibiza Cupra TDi
EX:1993 Golf 3 Gti
EX:1970 Beetle 1600 Twinport
Post Reply